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In July 2024, earnings from Bangladesh's apparel exports grew by 2.88 per cent to $3.18 billion compared to $3 billion in July 2023, as per data from the Bangladesh Bank.
Earnings from export of woven products increased by 3.9 per cent to $1.44 billion, while earnigs from knitwear exports rose by 2 per cent to $1.72 billion. Abdullah Hill Rakib, Acting President, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), avers, this growth provides a promising start to the fiscal year. However, the recent labor unrest, which disrupted production for over 20 days in Savar and Ashulia, has led to a significant rise in production costs, he adds.
Echoeing Rakib’s concerns, Fazle Shamim Ehsan, Executive President, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), notes, labor unrest and political instability are making buyers hesitant, potentially hindering work orders for the next season.
Describing the export growth in July as sluggish Khondkar Golam Moazzem, Research Director Center for Policy Dialogue, emphasises, the industry needs to step up efforts to meet annual targets. He attributes the current slowdown to global factors such as high inflation in the US and Europe, which have weakened consumer purchasing power and reduced demand. Domestic challenges, including the weak law and order situation and ongoing labour unrest, are also impacting production, Moazzam points out.
The industry needs to introduce a swift resolution to these issues, failing which it may not be able to achieve the targeted double-digit export growth, he warns.
The Netherlands-based Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH) has signed an MoU with Vietnam’s Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Development Department of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) to support the sustainable development of the country’s textile and footwear industry. This agreement formalises the collaboration between MoIT, IDH, and other key associations within the textile and footwear sectors to implement initiatives and activities that prioritise sustainability.
Despite significant contributions to Vietnam’s economy, the domestic textile and footwear industry faces challenges related to resource and energy use, environmental pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions, says Nguyen Thi Lam Giang, Director of the department. These issues create competitive pressures for the industry, she adds.
The MoU aims to promote sustainable development models, expand markets for eco-friendly products, and enhance the competitiveness of Vietnam’s textile and footwear enterprises. This collaboration will also help advance the country's international commitments to sustainable development and climate change.
For the first time, Milan's iconic La Scala Theater spotlighted a dye made solely from textile scraps. On September 22, 2024, Officina39 showcased its innovation at the Sustainable Fashion Awards organized by Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (CNMI). Though not winning, the company reached the finals for the Groundbreaking Award with its Recycrom, a patented dye made from 100 per cent recycled textiles.
Founded in 1992, Officina39 specializes in sustainable chemicals for the fashion and denim industries. Recycrom, launched six years ago, offers pigment powders from used clothing and textile scraps. These powders create uniform dyes applicable to a range of natural and synthetic fabrics through dyeing, printing, coating, or spraying.
Brands like Calvin Klein, Stella McCartney, H&M, Tommy Hilfiger, G-Star Row, have partnered with Officina39 to utilize this eco-friendly dye. In 2023, the company introduced Recycrom Ready to Dye, a stock of 15 colors made from at least 65 per cent recycled materials, enabling brands to select dyes from a standard palette.
Officina39 continues pushing innovation, blending passion, sustainability, and transparency in its mission to reduce the industry's environmental impact. The Sustainable Fashion Awards marked a significant milestone in this ongoing journey.
A global leader in supply chain solutions for consumer brands and retailers, Li & Fung has entered into a licensing partnership with contemporary apparel brand Sanctuary to produce and distribute a new range of women’s premium denims. Set to launch in February 2025, this debut collection will be available at specialty retailers, department stores, and on sanctuaryclothing.com, with nationwide wholesale distribution.
The brand’s partnership with Li & Fung will enable Sanctuary to significantly expand its denim category, blending modern lifestyle aesthetic with a commitment to sustainability. The new range will feature responsibly sourced cotton, recycled materials, and eco-friendly washes that minimise water and chemical use, aligning with Sanctuary’s environmental values. The collection will offer a range of styles, from core to fashion-forward designs.
The denim range will include a versatile assortment of perfect-fitting jeans in various cuts, such as skinny, crop, straight, bootcut, slim wide, wide, and barrel styles. It will also offer denim shorts in a range of cuts with 5” and 6.25” inseams alongwith A-line denim skirts, boyfriend jackets, and boxy fit jackets. Washes in this collection will range from white to light, medium, dark, and black colorways.
Deb Polanco, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer, Sanctuary, says. Li & Fung’s expertise helps the brand to respond to growing consumer demand for denim apparels, while staying true to its DNA and sustainability mission.
A trusted partner for top brands for over 25 years, Li & Fung specialises in creating collections from concept to delivery. Now expanding its licensing division, Li & Fung is partnering with national brands across various categories and price points. The collaboration with Sanctuary will diversify the brand’s denim offerings and expand its reach.
The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) began its 82nd Plenary Meeting in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, with representatives from across the cotton textile value chain. Ibrokhim Y Abdurakhmonov, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Agriculture, opened the event, followed by HEM Ambassador Aly Toure, Chair of the ICAC Standing Committee, who commended the Organizing Committee for its efforts and highlighted work to engage new members, especially from Africa.
Ambassador Toure also noted ICAC’s assistance to Benin for hosting World Cotton Day on October 7, 2024, marking the first time the event will be held in the Global South.
ICAC Executive Director Eric Trachtenberg addressed challenges in the cotton industry, such as price fluctuations and climate change, but expressed optimism about cotton’s role in poverty reduction, women’s empowerment, and sustainability. He committed to enhancing ICAC’s work in data production, public engagement, and cotton agriculture development.
The conference recognized two ICAC Researcher of the Year awardees: David Fang from the USDA and Keerti Rathore from Texas A&M University.
Updates were also given by heads of ICAC’s Panels and Committees, including the Private Sector Advisory Council and the International Cotton Researchers Association. The event, themed ‘Global Partnerships to Promote Innovation in the Cotton and Textile Value Chains,’ runs from September 30 to October 3, 2024, and concludes with technical tours of Uzbekistan's cotton and textile industries.
For the fourth consecutive year, overseas shipments of baby clothing and accessories (excluding knitted or crocheted items) by Poland increased by 2.7 per cent to 2.7,000 tons in 2023. In terms of value, exports of baby clothing by Poland expanded to $107 million in 2023, as per estimates by IndexBox.
Germany was the leading destination for Poland’s baby clothes exports, receiving 42 per cent or 1.1000 tons of the total export volume. Exports to Germany were more than triple those to the Netherlands, the second-largest destination (377 tons). Romania held the third position with 143 tons, accounting for 5.4 per cent of the total share.
From 2013 to 2023, Poland’s exports of baby clothing to Germany grew at an average annual rate of 16.7 per cent. Exports to Netherlands grew at a higher rate of 23.1 per cent annually, while exports to Romania increased by 16.1 per cent annually.
In value terms, Germany remained Poland’s key foreign market for baby clothing and accessories (not knitted or crocheted), with exports worth $45 million, representing 42 per cent of the total. The Netherlands ranked second with $16 million (15 per cent of total exports), followed by Belgium with $4.8 million.
From 2013 to 2023, the value of baby clothing exports by Poland to Germany grew at an annual rate of 13.5 per cent. Exports to the Netherlands increased by 20.3 per cent per year, while Belgium saw the most rapid growth in export value, rising by an impressive 51.2 per cent annually.
Wool Month 2024 kicks off with more activities than ever before, aiming to increase consumer awareness and demand for British wool. With events starting in September and running into November, the campaign has grown significantly.
Graham Clark, Marketing Director at British Wool, highlighted the growing popularity of Wool Month, noting the crucial role of social media in reaching new consumers and promoting British wool products.
Yarndale, the first event, catered to knitters and featured a ‘wool trail’ and wool grading demonstration, showcasing the versatility of British wool. Additional initiatives include Shaun the Sheep-themed displays in carpet stores, a press campaign led by Patrick Grant focusing on consumer habits, and fast fashion solutions through British wool.
Events also span from a celebration at the Welsh Wool Museum to partnerships with brands like Navy Grey and Walker Slater in London. A major highlight is a roundtable at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, discussing British wool’s role in sustainability, involving both high fashion brands and students.
This year’s campaign is designed to drive consumer engagement and demand, continuing to elevate the reputation of British wool.
Financial struggles are compelling one of Australia’s largest fashion retailers, Mosaic Brands to close over 200 stores and shut down five of its brands. The ASX-listed company plans to shut down its Rockmans, Autograph, Crossroads, W.Lane, and BeMe brands, affecting both stores and online platforms.
According to Erica Berchtold, CEO, Mosaic Brands, the decision to cut the brand portfolio will help the company simplify operations and refocus on its five core brands including Millers, Noni B, Rivers, Katies, and a stand-alone Mosaic online marketplace. The company is also working to reassign affected employees within these remaining brands.
The retailer has been facing challenges for some time, including the closure of hundreds of stores last year and being suspended from trading on the ASX after missing a key deadline for reporting its annual results. Mosaic also engaged Deloitte for advice on refinancing options. Additionally, a technology issue before Mother’s Day and the impact of the cost-of-living crisis severely affected its revenue in the fourth quarter.
Professor Gary Mortimer from Queensland University of Technology previously noted that Mosaic’s brands were cannibalising their own market, as many catered to the same demographic: middle-aged, middle-class women. He highlighted the inefficiency of having multiple brands targeting the same audience within the same shopping centers.
Mosaic has faced inconsistent financial performance in recent years. It reported a $170.5 million loss in 2020, an $11.5 million loss in 2022, and a small profit of $1.2 million in 2023, despite significant revenue. The company also dealt with a $630,000 fine in 2021 for making misleading claims about its products' COVID-19 protection.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has launched a federal court case against Mosaic for failing to deliver orders as promised, which the company is contesting.
eVent Fabrics, a leader in waterproof and breathable laminates, has hired three key team members to support the growing demand for its performance laminates and its recent expansion into South Korea.
New hires include Bartosz Lassak, joining the US sales team, and Xie Yi, who will help engineer the next generation of eVent textiles. Additionally, Terry Kim has been brought on as the Korean Market Consultant to assist with the brand’s expansion in Korea.
Chad Kelly, President of eVent Fabrics, highlighted the company's strategic efforts, stating that the new team members and the focus on the Korean market play a crucial role in addressing the increasing global demand. Kelly also emphasized that eVent is well-positioned for future growth, particularly in light of rising regulatory pressures and the growing consumer interest in PFAS-free technologies, including their alpineST and Bio laminates.
In its expansion into the Korean market, eVent has partnered with GEO International Co, Ltd, a prominent player in the Korean textile industry. This collaboration will bring eVent’s waterproof breathable laminates to apparel, footwear, and accessory markets in Korea, catering to the growing demand for premium outdoor and performance gear.
The recent hires bring substantial experience to eVent. Lassak, a senior sales manager based in Washington DC, has 20 years of global industry expertise. Xie, a textile engineer, holds advanced degrees from Donghua University. Kim, a former Gore-Tex executive, brings two decades of experience to his consulting role in Korea.
Li & Fung Limited has announced a new licensing partnership with contemporary brand Sanctuary to produce and distribute a premium women’s denim line. The collection, debuting in February 2025, will be available at specialty retailers, department stores, and online at sanctuaryclothing.com. It will also be distributed nationwide through wholesale channels.
Sanctuary’s new denim range will reflect its commitment to sustainability, using responsibly sourced cotton, recycled materials, and eco-friendly washes. The collection will offer a variety of fits and styles, including skinny, crop, straight, bootcut, and wide-leg jeans, alongside denim shorts, skirts, and jackets in various washes.
Deb Polanco, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer at Sanctuary, expressed excitement about expanding the brand’s denim line, emphasizing their dedication to quality and fit. Li & Fung, known for its expertise in supply chain solutions, will leverage its global capabilities to support the expansion.
David Miller, Executive Vice President of Li & Fung, highlighted the company’s expertise in denim, noting that the partnership will bring Sanctuary’s craftsmanship and eco-conscious approach to a broader audience. Retailers interested in carrying the collection can contact Li & Fung for wholesale opportunities.
